Video: Louisville Graduates Reflect On Tornado

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LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — They had less than a month before their high school graduation … their lives were on cruise control. In a matter of seconds that all changed. For seniors at Winston County schools, this week’s graduations have taken on a new meaning, a meaning that will stick with them for years to come.

For Louisville High School seniors Jordan Maury and Henry Hudspeth, their final weeks of high school have been anything but normal. Instead of parties and celebrations before Friday night’s graduation, it’s been recovery, helping friends and reflecting on the the 10 people who died when an EF-4 tornado ripped through their home town April 28.

“We were very, very concerned. Cell phone lines were down and so we couldn’t call in to town and see what was going on. So we were definitely worried,” Louisville High graduating senior Henry Hudspeth said.

“I wasn’t too concerned about it at first until I heard that it touched down in South Louisville where my house is. And then at that moment I started realizing, wow, this is happening. This is real,” graduating senior Jordan Maury said.

Academics and graduation became secondary. Seniors like Hudspeth became good Samaritans in their community.

“Me and my dad, actually we went out and helped some of our close friends salvage some stuff first and then we went and helped with the relief effort at the Red Cross, at the churches that they were housing people at. We helped move patients from the nursing homes into the shelters,” said Hudspeth.

“My house was, only had minor damage. A couple of tiles missing, but the community past my house was totally leveled. Many homes were damaged,” said Maury.

While the two Louisville High seniors escaped with their homes intact, Winston Academy Salutatorian Madelon Taylor was not so fortunate. Her home was destroyed by the tornado and she escaped serious injury when her father jumped on top of her and her mother as the powerful twister tried to suck her from their home. According to her, 15 seconds felt like a life time.

In years and decades to come, Hudspeth, Maury, and Taylor are sure to have stories to tell their children and grandchildren.

“Take nothing for granted. Live every day like it’s your last because you never know what could be here today, what could not be here tomorrow,” said Maury.

“Now that this has happened, it’s definitely going to be a landmark in my life for sure,” said Hudspeth.

Winston Academy’s graduation was last weekend. Louisville’s is Friday night. Noxapater is tonight and Nani Wayih was earlier this week.